Alpinestars Fall 2010 Off-Road Collection

His insatiable thirst for life is only surpassed by his monthly fuel bill. Whether rocketing on land, flying through the air, or jumping the seas, our Road Test Editor does it all and has the scars to prove it.

Two years ago Alpinestars launched its innovative Bionic Neck Support (BNS) designed to help mitigate the catastrophic effects of a severe neck or spinal cord injury in an off-road accident. Now it expands its technical off-road protection by offering the $159.95 A-6 Chest Protector and $169.95 A-10 Chest Protector.

Constructed from plastic, the A6 comes in two sizes, small and medium, and is designed to be worn underneath the rider’s jersey. When used, it protects the rider’s torso from rocks and dirt thrown off the rear tire of a motorcycle ahead, which is a common occurrence during, say, a motocross race. It also provides some protection in the event of an impact. This product will surely be appreciated by off-road riders (myself included) looking for roost protection but not wishing to be physically impeded by the size of a conventional chest protector.

The one-size-fits-all A10 expands on the A-6’s level of protection by extending over the rider’s shoulders. It also has an integrated back protector. The A10 is engineered to be worn over the rider’s jersey like a traditional chest protector. Both protectors are 100% compatible with the aforementioned BNS as well as many other popular neck braces currently on the market.

(Above) Alpinestars now offers riders advanced knee protection with its B2 Carbon Knee Brace. (Below) The $49.95 Alpinestsrs MX Cooling Vest is designed to keep you cool when riding in hot weather.

Next to a good quality helmet and boots one of the most important pieces of protective equipment you can wear when riding or racing dirt bikes are knee braces. Now Alpinestars offers riders a fresh option with its Alpinestars B2 Carbon Knee Brace.

Each brace retails for $349.95 and comes in four sizes (small thru extra-large). The brace is engineered to reduce the chances of damaging your knee during an accident or crash. It’s constructed from lightweight carbon fiber and articulates with a stainless-steel hinge mechanism. Furthermore, the hinge can be adjusted to limit hyperextension. It’s fixed to the leg via four Velcro D-ring straps with quick-release buckles for simple fitment and removal. Overall the design is very slim which will be appreciated by those who are opposed to knee braces due to their typically bulky design.

For those who ride during the blazing hot summer months, Astars has released the Alpinestars MX Cooling Vest. This affordable $49.95 vest complements your body’s natural cooling system. The vest is constructed from polyester with a unique polymer embedded into the material that provides excellent breathability. Its cooling ability is activated by soaking it in water. It then cools the rider’s torso cool for hours depending on how hot it is. To refresh its cooling capabilities simply soak it again in water.

Similarly to the new additions to the Tech Touring line, these new off-road protection equipment and apparel will be available at the end of August and can be purchased directly at Motorcycle-Superstore.com or any other Alpinestars dealer.